There are 3 birthplace variables. Birthplace of Individual (BPLP), which records a person's country of birth, and Birthplace of Female Parent (BPFP) and Birthplace of Male Parent (BPMP), which indicate whether a person's parent was born in Australia or overseas. Prior to 2001, parental birthplace was coded to a country.

For the 2001 Census the ‘Standard Australian Classification of Countries’ (SACC) is used to classify responses for birthplace of individual. In 1996 the 'Australian Standard Classification of Countries for Social Statistics' (ASCCSS) was used.

Both classifications use the current names of countries, so if a person uses a former name the current name is coded. For example, Siam would be coded to Thailand.

If birthplace of individual is not stated on the census form, an attempt is made to derive it from other answers. However for the 2001 Census there is less scope to derive this data because of changes to other variables. If birthplace cannot be derived it is coded to ‘Not stated’.

People born in Australia are not required to complete Question 12 which asks, 'In what year did the person first arrive in Australia to live here for one year or more?'.

Birthplace variables when used with Language Spoken at Home (LANP), Ancestry (ANCP) and Religious Affiliation (RELP) provide important information on ethnicity.

See also Ancestry (ANCP), Australia, Australian Citizenship (CITP), Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC), Year of Arrival in Australia (YARP).